First United Methodist Church of Schenectady
Worship for the Second Sunday after the Pentecost

June 19, 2022

Photo by Zach Long

Getting Centered

It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God’s presence with you during the time of worship. You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.

Breath Prayer

“Guide us, to freedom, now.”
Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.
You may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.

Prelude

“Breathe on Me” Arranged by Fred Bock

Call to Worship

One: God is great.
Many: The Holy One is worthy of our praise.
One: Come; let us remember the great things God has done for us.
Many: Let us not neglect to teach our children the greatness of God.
One: Let us not forget our past and those who have gone before us.
Many: We remember our ancestors, our history, our Africa;
and we name our future.
One: Let us lift up our voices in song, lift our arms in praise,
and open our hearts in gratitude.
Many: Let us greet God with our hymn of praise.

Hymn #603: “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

Connecting in Prayer

Unison Prayer: won’t you celebrate with me

by Lucille Clifton

won’t you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

Word and Reflection

Scripture Reading: Psalm 42 and Luke 8:26-39

Time for Young People: “Jesus Responding to Pain”

Hymn #2193: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”

Mission Moment: Juneteenth

by Virgia Phoenix
Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrating the day that the enslaved in Texas learned of their freedom. This occurred on June 19, 1865, two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.

Celebrations broke out immediately following the message about their freedom. Beginning on the first anniversary in 1866, June 19 was established as an important day of thanksgiving and remembrance. The celebrations included Church services, reading the Emancipation Proclamation, singing, speeches, festivals, family reunions, Barbecues, coronations and more.
Juneteenth is a combination of June and 19.
The initiative to make June 19 a holiday can be credited to the advocacy of Al Edwards, resulting in it becoming a Texas state holiday in 1980. The activity to successfully make it a national holiday is the relentless effort of Opal Lee who gained wide attention for walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington DC. She walked two- and one-half miles a day to symbolize the number of years that it took for Texans to learn of their freedom.
Texas Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee introduced a bill entitled Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. It was signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, the first year the day was Nationally observed.
The Juneteenth Flag

Red, white and blue represents the American flag – a reminder that slaves and descendants were and are Americans. The center star represents Texas; the “burst” around the star represents a new beginning; the arc (curve extending across the width) represents “a new horizon” opportunities and promise of the future.

Passing of the Peace

If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.
Whether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God’s peace within, and then to share it with the world. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.

Sermon: “Tears for Food” – Rev. Sara Baron

Responding

Offertory: There Is a Balm in Gilead Arranged by Mark Hayes

Offering

Photo by Larry McArthur
If you wish, you are welcome to use this time to make a donation to the church online, or to put a check in the mail.
The time of offering is not only about our financial gifts to the church, it is about offering our lives to God and the building of the kindom. This is a time for reflection: What is being asked of us? What is being given to us? What are we able to offer? What do we need?

A Thirsting for Justice Prayer

Reverend Sterling Morse, coordinator for African American intercultural congregational support for the Presbyterian Church
Thankfully we praise you, O God, for your liberating power that broke shackles of oppression and restored humanity to the
disenfranchised.
Make us instruments of grace to resist slavery, in all manifestations,
that no soul shall be denied the right to thrive and fully realize their divine purpose in you. Amen.

Hymn #533: “We Shall Overcome”

Benediction

May God bless us with a thirst for justice, a yearning for healing, and the capacity to create both! Amen

Postlude

“We Walk By Faith” Arranged by Lloyd Larson